Mold Issue
MOLD: What are the MOST TOXIC TYPES of MOLD?
The following molds are capable of Mycotoxin Production:
Ascospores
Ascospores are prominent in nature commonly found in the outdoor environment. Some fungi that belong to the Ascomycete family include the sexual forms of Penicillium/Aspergillus, Chaetominum, etc that may be frequently found growing on damp substrates.
Penicillium/Aspergillus
Both of these types of mold are ubiquitous in the environment. Aspergillus tends to colonize continuously damp materials such as damp wallboard and fabrics. Penicillium is commonly found in house dust, wallpaper, decaying fabrics, moist clipboards, etc.
Chaetomium
A vast amount of medical news has been downplayed regarding Chaetomium in the past.
Chaetomiumspp. are among the fungi causing infections wholly refered to as Phaeohyphomycosis.
Fatal deep mycoses due to Chaetomium Atrobrunneum have been documented.
Brain abscess, peritonitis, cutaneous lesions and Onychomycosis may also develop due to exposure.
Unlike most other mold pathogens, there is medical evidence to suggest that people who are exposed to Chaetomium may be predisposed to permanent neurological damage of the myelin sheath. Therefore, a noticeably high incidence of autoimmune diseases have been linked to exposure of this mold such as Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, etc. It has also been linked to certain forms of Cancer.
As with other fungal exposure, it can also cause permanent DNA damage. This has been documented in several cases being researched during studies. Chaetomium is the only mold that inhibits cell replication.
Chaetomium are found on a variety of substrates containing cellulose including paper and plant compost. Several species have been reported to play a major role in the decomposition of cellulose-made materials. These fungi are able to dissolve the cellulose fibers in cotton and paper and thus cause the materials to disintegrate. The process is especially rapid under moist conditions.
This fungus is reported to be allergenic and a toxin.
On a scale of worst to more mild in effects on human health, contrary to what many believe; Chaetomium would be second or possibly third to Aspergillus only to Stachybotrys
Their Ascospores are brown or gray-olivaceous with one or two germ pores.
Stachybotrys
Stachybotrys is the bad boy of them all.
There are some species in the Aspergillus family that are just as toxic as Stachybotrys such as Aspergillus Versicolor and Aspergillus Fumigatus. The toxins produced can cause diarrhea and upset stomach. It is reported to be a kidney and liver carcinogen.
Aspergillus Fumigatus is one of the most ubiquitous of the airborne saprophytic fungi. Humans and animals constantly inhale numerous conidia of this fungus. However, there has been a dramatic increase in severe and usually fatal invasive aspergillosis, now the most common mold infection worldwide.
But when people talk about toxic black mold, Stachy is the one they’re talking about.
But remember, just because it is black, DOES NOT mean it’s toxic!!
What is Stachybotrys?
Stachybotrys, commonly called “stachy,” is a greenish-black, slimy mold found only on cellulose products (such as wood or paper) that have been wet for several days or more. The mold does not grow on concrete, linoleum or tile.
How is a person exposed to Stachybotrys?
Stachybotrys and some other fungi may produce several toxic chemicals called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins can be present in spores and small mold fragments released into the air. Once the mold fragments, mycotoxins and spores are in the air, individuals may breathe them into their lungs.
What are the symptoms of exposure to Stachybotrys mycotoxins?
Symptoms of exposure to mycotoxins include coughing, wheezing, runny nose, irritated eyes or throat, skin rash and diarrhea.
Since these symptoms are general in nature, they also can be caused by a cold, influenza or exposure to other allergens. It is not known what level of mycotoxin from Stachybotrys must be present in the air to cause these symptoms.
Fusarium
Fusarium is a hydrophilic mold that requires very wet conditions and is frequently isolated from plants and grains. They colonize in continuously damp materials such as damp wallboard and water reservoirs for humidifiers and drip pans.
While Fusarium Keratitis can be a serious infection, it is a rare disease.
Fusarium is commonly found in organic matter such as soil and plants. This infection cannot be transmitted from person to person.
People who have trauma to the eye, certain eye diseases and problems with their immune system may be at increased risk for these types of infection
The Most Relevant Mold Species
Penicillium/Aspergillus – The most common mold species to show up in Indoor Air Samples. Most of the hundreds of sub-species are allergenic with only a few that are toxic. This group of species will grow with only the humidity in the air as its water source. An A/C failure will allow this mold to start growing on walls, furniture and clothing.
Cladosporium – The most common mold species and is considered to be an allergenic.
Curvularia – This is another common allergenic mold.
Chaetomium – This is a common water marker that usually indicates wet paper and/or drywall.
Stachybotrys – An excellent water marker and the most common toxic mold species. Stachybotrys Chartarum is the sub-species that’s the subject of all the “60 Minutes” type news programs and all of the internet hype. Not all sub-species are toxic. These species need a direct water source to grow. This includes a window, roof or plumbing leak.
Memnoniella – A sister mold to Stachybotrys. The two species will grow together. It is also considered toxic.
Mold Spore Level Guide ©
For years there have been debates over how to set a standard for mold spore levels in homes. Because mold spore species and levels differ from state to state, no one has been able to agree. So a comparison to an outdoor air sample has been the rule of thumb. This is because you are letting mold spores into a home every time you open a door or window. It is not a perfect method and can lead to false positives. The following mold spore ranges are my opinion and are based on thousands of samples performed by me in the Collier, Lee & Charlotte county area during a Mold Inspection. For this guide use the spore/m3 number and not the raw count for each species when you interpret an Air Sample Report from a Lab. There are exceptions at every level. False positives can be caused by a number of different issues. Normal life examples are dust and dirt on fan blades or other surfaces of the home, something in a garbage can or household pets that have been playing outside. When a general home or termite inspection is performed at the same time as the mold inspection it can inadvertently raise the spore counts. This can happen if an interior attic access is opened or the A/C filter is removed
from the return before the air sample is performed.
0-50 spores – These are only trace levels and are not an issue. Even Stachybotrys is not considered an issue at these levels if the sample does not also contain water markers like Chaetomium and Fusarium or high levels of Penicillium/Aspergillus.
50-200 spores – These are still very low levels. The toxic mold species Stachybotrys and Memnoniella are just about the only species that are considered an issue at this level.
200-500 spores – Up to this point, the most common species (Penicillium/Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Curvularia) are still not an issue and are in the normal range.
500-1500 spores – Sometimes the Penicillium/Aspergillus & Cladosporium levels are in this range and there is not an issue that needs to be remediated. If no water intrusion or mold issue is found during the inspection, these levels can be caused by normal life in an enclosed environment.
1500-3000 spores – This is where the grey area begins. When levels reach this point there may be an issue that needs to be addressed unless there is a corresponding number in the outdoor sample. If no water intrusion or mold issue is found during the inspection these levels can be achieved by a dusty home or A/C system.
3000-10,000 spores – Unless there is a corresponding number in the outdoor sample, this is the point were some remediation may be necessary. If a mold spore source has been identified, then clean up of that area is needed. If there was no water intrusion or mold issue found, the home may need to be cleaned and the duct system should be evaluated.
10,000-25,000 spores – Unless there is a corresponding number in the outdoor sample, a mold spore source has usually been identified and remediation of the area is needed. If there was no water intrusion or mold issue found, the duct system may need to be cleaned and/or a general “Spring Cleaning” of the home.
25,000-75,000+ spores – When spore levels are at this point, a mold issue will be easy to identify. Clean up will be required and should be performed by a Professional Mold Remediator.
75,000-1,000,000+ spores – When spore levels are at this point a mold issue will be evident. Remediation will be required and needs to be performed by a Professional Mold Remediator.